Sure Jackson County’s wrestling team will experience change this season.
Seven spots in the lineup need filling and the Panthers have relocated to a region that includes stalwart Jefferson and a host of other formidable teams.
That doesn’t mean the focus strays from the norm at Jackson County, which finished no. 6 in Class AAA last year.
“The goal is no different than any other year — high expectations,” coach Jason Powers said.
Specifically, Powers expects Jackson County — which joins Region 8-AA — to be in the running for a return trip to the state duals in January and a big year at the traditional state meet come February.
“We’re going to be a much, much better individual team than a duals team just because we have so many young guys in the lineup,” Powers said. “But, at the same time, we have a lot of strong guys. So individually, I’m expecting a top six finish at state … I’m hoping for five or six on the podium this year, maybe some even in the finals.”
While several good wrestlers graduated from last year’s team, several others remain on Jackson County’s roster. Senior Justin Brewer (140-lb.) had a good state tournament a year ago, while senior Ryan Shekey (130-lb. or 135-lb.), who went to state last year, should be a state placer this year, according to Powers, as should Brewer.
Meanwhile, junior Zach Moore (112-lb.), who put many hours over the summer “should be excellent,” Powers said, and senior Austin McDonald (215-lb.) is back after falling one round short of placing at state last year. Daivon Ledford returns after qualifying for state last year as well.
The Panthers also welcome Cole Metters, who transferred from East Jackson.
That said, with four key wrestlers graduating, two more moving away and the need to find a heavyweight, the Panthers still have lineup issues to work out.
That means Jackson County will have several wrestlers in this year’s lineup with no prior varsity experience, including some freshmen.
“It’s going to be a shock,” Powers said. “It always is stepping in from that first match and that first part of the year is going to be a little bit rough on them.”
So it could take a little while to find the right combination, especially with recent changes in descent rules regarding weight classifications.
“We weren’t into our lineup (last year) until we returned from Christmas break,” Powers said. “This year, I think we’re going to be into our lineup a lot sooner.”
As for the region, it’s not just Jefferson — which has nine straight dual titles and 10 consecutive traditional state championships to its credit — with which Jackson County has to contend.
Banks County is traditionally strong and returns nearly its entire team from last year. Then there are schools like North Oconee and Dawson County that have strong teams and some great individual wrestlers.
“So along with just the toughness as far as the teams are concerned, you’re looking at it that each school is going to have a couple individual kids.”
In fact, it may be tougher than Jackson County’s old region, 8-AAA. “Each school is going to have a couple of individual kids,” Powers said. “Where in 8-AAA, after you got out of about the top four schools, you didn’t have a lot of competition. Now, it’s going to a lot of individual stuff.”
PANTHER INVITATIONAL EVEN STRONGER THIS YEAR
Jackson County hosts its annual Panther Invitational Dec. 3-4 with an even stronger field of teams this year.
“It’s a huge deal for us,” Powers said. “Not only is it a huge fund-raiser, it’s a great measuring tool. Usually, if you place at the Panther (Invitational), you’ll do very well in the season.”
Twenty-six teams are slated for the event, with some of the weaker teams from year’s past opting out and some stronger teams coming aboard.
“This year, I would say it’s one of the toughest tournaments that we’ve had around in a while,” Powers said. “And for the Panther (Invitational), that’s really saying something. To place in the top four in that tournament, for anybody, will be a great accomplishment.”
